The Rigden Abhisheka fully enters qualified students into the Shambhala terma cycle, initiates Werma Sadhana practice, and is a requisite for the Scorpion Seal retreat. Completion of the Primordial Rigden ngöndro and being a vajrayana disciple of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche are the main requirements for receiving the Rigden Abhisheka. 

The Sakyong will use the fully expanded Rigden Abhisheka to confer the empowerment. This will be the first time this text has been used to confer the blessings of the Rigden on new vajrayana students. Werma practitioners who would like to renew their samaya and receive the Rigden Abhisheka again are warmly invited to attend this empowerment. 

Please note

2018 Rigden Abhisheka applicants must reapply for this empowerment.

Werma practitioners—including program staff—requesting to receive the Rigden Abhisheka must apply for the empowerment through the link above.  

Prerequisites

  • Commitment to being a vajrayana student of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
  • Completion of Shambhala path programs and practices through Sacred World Assembly, as well as completion of Shambhala ngöndro by the Abhisheka
  • Membership in your local Shambhala Meditation centre/group, membership in Shambhala International membership, or membership in Shambhala Europe 
  • Completion of Shambhala lineage course and pre-Abhisheka studies
  • Final program authorization from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Applying & Registering for Rigden Abhisheka

Registering for Rigden Abhisheka is a two-part process that includes:

  1. Application through Shambhala International Office of Practice and Education
  2. Registration with Dechen Chöling retreat center

1. Application through Shambhala International – deadline 31st April 2020

Your online application (APAS) should be submitted by 31st April 2020. The applications are fully reviewed to ensure that each participant is adequately prepared. 

Online application for first-time participants

Online application for returning participants and staff

  1. Registration with Dechen Choling – deadline 10th May 2020

Registering with Dechen Chöling Center means that you can pay for the programme and secure your place. Please note that your registration is not confirmed until you receive notice of acceptance of your application to attend the Abhisheka.

Staffing the Rigden Abhisheka

Staffing a programme represents a unique opportunity to deepen one’s practice, discover or revisit teachings, while helping to make the dharma available to others.

Staffing Rigden Abhisheka will be an incredibly rewarding and rich experience. However, it requires significant commitment.  If you would like to know more about the various staff roles and apply, please follow this link

Programme staff must also apply for the Rigden Abhisheka through this link: apply here

Practical Information

Arrival day (20th June): Welcome and orientation talk at 20.00. You’re invited to arrive from 14.00 to register. Dinner is served at 18.45.

End of programme (26th June): Programme closing and celebratory banquet in the evening.

Departure day (27th June): You may leave anytime and you’re welcome to stay for lunch.

This programme is taught in English. Free translation into other languages to be confirmed. Important: Translation services are possible only if you register your request at least two months in advance of the programme.

Extra fees: The price displayed below includes the programme fee and honorariums for the Sakyong and teaching faculty. Not included are the Programme Support Fee (30 euros, formerly known as Application Fee), and the material fee (approximately 300 euros). Also, the annual Dechen Chöling membership fee (15 euros) if Rigden Abhisheka is your first programme done in our centre this calendar year.